Minorca offers so many possibilities of leisure that it is easy to find a paradise you are looking for. Living unforgettable moments becomes a mere matter of letting yourself go. Therefore, we can discover without haste, the charm of getting lost amongst its streets, reaching the cutest shops within its towns, which maintain its original features for what they have been known. We will be surprised by the variety of Minorcan handicraft found at the open air markets. Most of these towns host handicraft markets every week, where real handmade works of art are exhibited. A ritual not to be missed is a walk through the stalls at Calas Fonts, Fornells or the Ciutadella Port; idyllic sceneries next to the sea where one can feel a special atmosphere.

The town centres and main tourist centres are packed with exclusive shops where one can purchase the latest models of clothing and footwear. The shoe manufacturing in Minorca is still very important, as it has been in the past. Its designs combine a handicraft tradition with the latest trends, a fact well appreciated in many countries around the world and which will give our feet a touch of distinction. We can visit, as well as the many shops around the island, some of the factories and directly purchase these valuable items. The first purchase one is suggested to make, on arriving the island, is a pair of abarcas, made of leather with rubber tyre souls, which come from the times when farmers worked out among the fields. It is still possible to find some craftsmen who make them to fit personally. It is an ideal footwear to encounter the jagged rocks we will come across along the paths of the Minorcan coast.

We can continue searching for our own paradise near the sea at the island's exquisite restaurants and taste the freshest products withdrawn from the Mediterranean. There is no other moment better than this to enjoy the calm roll of the sea on a terrace while trying to discover the ingredients of the Caldereta de Langosta (lobster stew): the islands best held secret. The Minorcan cooking is a rich traditional expression which has passed on from parents to children; a wise combination of ingredients offered by the island's fertile soil; recipes that have adapted to modern proposals without losing a speck of its taste.

The Minorcan gastronomy owns a very particular history. The recipe of each dish we taste holds a compendium of history and civilizations, improved by the pass of the years; as happens with the mayonnaise sauce, which, according to the legend, was created during the French dominion. During this period, a French governor praised and expanded the qualities of this simple but delicious sauce through out the world after tasting it on the island.

Continuing with our journey through the past, we can have a shot of gin, an originally British beverage dated from the 18th century and distilled entirely from juniper berries with an incomparable aroma. Sharing the custom of drinking gin with the locals at any bar is an experience not to be missed. If you wish to discover the secrets of its distillery, you can visit its premises at Maó's harbour.

The island hides many more secrets. It is said that the strong gusts of tramontana wind soak the grazing fields with sea salt. This is why the cattle are so fond of it and explains why the cheese has that special bouquet. The original cheese of Minorca is one of the most appreciated in the world. Its flavour gathers the whole essence of Minorca. The natural surroundings where the cows calmly graze together with the traditional method of manufacture, takes the good taste of the island to our mouth.

In order to get a close look of this wise tradition, the best thing to do is to visit some of the many llocs (farming premises) open to the public.

The traditional sausage varieties of the island are also manufactured in a homemade style, with knowledge and peace, just the way it has always been. The sobrassada is the main product. If we wish to extend our holidays further on, we can purchase some and take them back and remember our experience in Minorca while we taste them at home.

Minorca is also open to entertainment. Its magical nights conjure up the island's spell: enjoying concerts under the moonlight's influence at unbelievable sceneries such as a stone-quarry. We can also speed up the beat within an impressive cave rebuilt into a disco, hanging over a breathtaking cliff on the coast, where the trendiest deejays meet or dance until sunrise at any of the terraces along the ports of Maó or Ciutadella. If we prefer peace and quiet, we can also enjoy an authentic Minorcan night at one of the fishermen caves at Cala Corb, listening to traditional sailor's songs accompanied by the captain's guitar who is willing to let anyone play it and share his artistic knowledge.